GA Forestry Commission: March Tornado Timber Damage Totals Nearly $3 Million

A new Georgia Forestry Commission report details damage left behind by an EF-4 tornado that tore through Newnan, Georgia, and surrounding areas in late March. The GFC Timber Impact Assessment of the Heard and Coweta Counties’ tornado reports a total of 4,745 acres of timber damaged, with a total value of $2,731,600.

“Both rural and urban forests were hit hard by this tornado,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Tim Lowrimore. “GFC crews were on the ground immediately, clearing debris and helping open access roads. Our field foresters and urban forest strike team collected aerial and ground data for this assessment, which quantifies the wide degree of timber damage, from residential trees to mature managed forests.”

The report documents the National Weather Service determination that the storm initially touched down west of Franklin at approximately 11:37 PM EDT and ended about an hour later at 12:37, just north of Peachtree City. It traversed across wooded land, pastures, and residential areas. Damage included uprooted and broken trees, along with damage to many dwellings, utility buildings and commercial properties. One citizen fatality was reported.

See the report below.